Cody Ross Emerging Into Biggest Steal of Offseason With Power Surge Leading Red Sox to Another Win

by abournenesn

Jul 20, 2012

Cody Ross Emerging Into Biggest Steal of Offseason With Power Surge Leading Red Sox to Another WinBOSTON — At the time, he was an underrated acquisition.

When the Red Sox signed Cody Ross to a one-year, $3 million deal in January, there was an underlying assumption he’d be a platoon player. Just weeks after the team acquired Ryan Sweeney in a trade, Ross was expected to compete for playing time in a crowded outfield.

Halfway through the season, Ross has undoubtedly claimed his territory. A day after belting two three-run home runs, the outfielder prolonged his heroics, mashing a walk-off, three-run shot to give the Red Sox a 3-1 win on Thursday.

“I remember the excitement in Ben [Cherington‘s] voice when he said, ‘We’ve got a player who’s really going to help us,'” Valentine said, reflecting on the day the team signed Ross.

“As an announcer, I did some of Cody’s postseason and some of his San Francisco stuff. I love his smile. I love his swing. I love his energy. What’s there not to love? And he’s not getting traded — don’t want to start another rumor.”

With his 16th homer, Ross is reviving his reputation a clutch performer. Over his past two games, Ross has been scorching hot, going 5-for-9 with three home runs and a double, which was only inches away from another dinger.

That’s why he received a hero’s welcome upon rounding the bases. Patiently waiting at home plate, Nick Punto channeled his alter ego — the Shredder — and ripped Ross’ jersey off while closer Alfredo Aceves dumped blue Gatorade on the group.

“I felt like a bunch of piranhas jumped on me and just started attacking,” Ross said. “I’ve never had that happen to me, but I assume that’s what it would feel like. I looked up and Punto was staring right at me with this evil look on his face and he just grabs my jersey and just [starts] yanking on it.”

Unfortunately for Ross, the jersey didn’t survive the mauling. It’s proven to have been the 31-year-old’s lucky charm, considering it was the same Red Sox uniform that Ross donned during Wednesday’s home run barrage.

Through 63 games this season, Ross is averaging a home run every 13.68 at-bats, the fastest pace of his nine-year career. Thursday’s herculean feat also marked his third career walk-off blast, his first since August 2, 2009 against the Cubs.

“I want to be the guy up every time in that situation,” Ross said. “I always have, my whole life. I just like that pressure and I like just being there in the moment. I can’t really compare it to anything. Just a great feeling, especially when you come through and you’re a hero. There’s no better feeling.”

Even in the clubhouse, Buchholz — who was lying on the clubhouse couch — experienced a surge of adrenaline when Ross connected on Addison Reed‘s pitch.

“He’s been a guy that’s thrived off that situation just about all season,” Buchholz said of Ross. “You can’t ever really expect something like that to happen. I was running around the clubhouse.”

For Ross, it’s quite the return on Cherington’s investment.

Have a question for Didier Morais? Send it to him via Twitter at @DidierMorais or send it here. He will pick a few questions to answer every week for his mailbag.

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